Top Contenders for Next Manchester United Manager

Manchester United is starting the search for a new manager after sacking Ruben Amorim on Monday.

Amorim’s 14-month tenure ended due to a breakdown in his relationship with the board.

The Portuguese coach expressed dissatisfaction with his role after the recent draw against Leeds, stating he joined to be the ‘manager’ rather than just the ‘head coach’.

United is now exploring candidates to replace Amorim. Here are some early frontrunners for the position.

Top Candidates to Replace Ruben Amorim at Manchester United

Gareth Southgate – 12/1

Having left his position with England after Euro 2024, Southgate has been frequently mentioned as a possible choice for Manchester United. Though recent changes in the club’s sporting director role have muted the speculation, he remains on the radar.

Despite taking England to consecutive European Championship finals and improving team culture, his lack of club coaching experience may be a drawback.

Xavi Hernandez – 10/1

Xavi’s extensive playing experience gives him instant respect in the locker room, and he has proven himself as a manager. After a successful stint at Al-Saad in Qatar, he returned to Barcelona and guided the team to a La Liga title in 2022/23.

Hosting the kind of pressure found at Manchester United is similar to what he faced at Barcelona.

Laurent Blanc – 10/1

A seasoned coach and a former player, Blanc has won multiple titles, including four Ligue 1 titles with Bordeaux and Paris Saint-Germain. In his most recent role, he won the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad before being let go in September.

Although he brings a wealth of experience, he has only one recent season of coaching in Europe, which could raise concerns.

Enzo Maresca – 6/1

After leaving Chelsea, Enzo Maresca might consider another Premier League opportunity. He successfully led Leicester to promotion in his one season there and has a strong record with Chelsea, guiding them to the Europa Conference League, Club World Cup, and Champions League qualification.

Managing the complexities at Chelsea amid their recruitment challenges, how would he perform if given more control over signings?

Oliver Glasner – 4/1

Considered a leading candidate, Glasner has excelled at Crystal Palace, achieving successes that Amorim could not at Manchester United. He guided Palace to their first major trophy, the FA Cup, and secured a European campaign for the next season.

As they currently sit 14th in the Premier League, Glasner has emphasized the need for squad depth in January. Would he be tempted to leave if the club does not provide reinforcements?

Darren Fletcher – 2/1

Darren Fletcher has been appointed as interim manager and will coach the team against Burnley this week. Having made 342 appearances for Manchester United as a player, he has been coaching the U-18 team and has held previous positions like first-team coach.

Manchester United confirm Darren Fletcher will take over on an interim basis 🔴 pic.twitter.com/juxq5ANs9C

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 5, 2026

Fletcher understands the club’s values, but appointing him permanently without senior experience would be a significant decision.